What is going on?

Felix stretched, the last tendrils of sleep leaving him. He opened his eyes to find the now familiar scenery of Elder Rong’s guest room

Whoa… I barely remember coming back from the Hall of Knowledge. Ugh, I’m not even sure if I got an hour of sleep. Did it start to get light out when I came back with Xue?

He rubbed the crusted rheum from his eyes, trying not to glare at the sunlight pouring through the window.

The sun shouldn’t be directly coming through the window at this time of day…

Sounds of commotion outside sent a shock of adrenaline through his system. He tossed on his sect robes and shuffled to the front entrance. No one was there.

Huh, that is weird. Where did that noise come from?

From above the sound came again, now a discernable whoosh. His head snapped up to see a man in red robes flying down the mountain. The man’s path dipped down, landing at to walk through the sect’s main entrance. The now barely visible figure flew into the skies once more and disappeared into the distance.

Wow, that must have been one of the guests from yesterday. I wonder where he is going in such a hurry? Is he fleeing? Oh, and now someone is entering the sect and flying up to the peak.

“Annoying, isn’t it.” Said a voice behind him. Felix looked over to see Xue walking over. “I am glad to see you are finally up. I shouldn’t have allowed you to push yourself like that. You were so tired that you didn’t even notice them yesterday morning.”

“Yesterday?” said Felix. He glanced up at the sun. “I am pretty sure we stayed up till this morning.

“That was Yesterday morning, actually.” Said Xue. “You slept through the entire day.”

“Oh,” Said Felix, rubbing his temple. “What a waste of a day. So, what is with all the comings and goings?”

“Probably messengers to coordinate with the other sects.”

“Shouldn’t they just use messenger talismans or something?” Said Felix. They watched yet another expert fly through the sky. “I mean this just seems ridiculous. It just doesn’t seem to be a good use of manpower since it seems to need experts and there is also the time delay. Isn’t there some kind of communication treasure or technique?”

“You would think that but there are a number of complications that make doing that rather difficult. The reliability of such things is low even if they exist. Still, sects are more likely to trust a message from their own member.”

“I suppose that makes.” Said Felix, eyes following yet another messenger. “By the way, why do they do that?” Said Felix

“Do what?”

“Go through the entrance and not just fly away. It seems like it would be really annoying.”

“Probably to avoid the sect's defensive formation. I am not sure of the particulars of Sect’s defensive formation, but it is custom as well as wise to go through designated entryways. It is just a respectful thing to do in addition to being safer.”

“Right…” Said Felix.

I must remember that there is normally a reason behind people’s actions. Even good reasons.

Closing his eyes, he brought up the last notification he got last night.

[Shifting Sands (Mortal 45)]

Power: Below Average

Comprehension: (50/50)

Stage: Qi Gathering

Not bad. Not bad at all. I was actually able to keep going until that point of diminishing returns. Though I had to spend 44 KE points…

“Hey Xue, would you help me try out my Movement Technique?” Said Felix. “I missed a day so I can’t let an opportunity to train slip by. Assuming we have time before class. Which one is it today?”

“You actually have both morality class and etiquette today. However, there should be time.” Said Xue. “Trust me, you develop a really good sense of time as a cultivator.”

“Great.” Said Felix. They stared at each other. “So… should I just run around? Maybe a game of tag?”

Xue looked around the small area between Elder Rong’s house and the road.

“Something like that. Follow me.”

They walked around the building to a large open area behind the house. Felix gave Xue a look.

“Should we really be practicing outside his house?”

“It will be fine.” Said Xue with a dismissive wave. “He is already housing you. Messing up his yard is the next logical step. Now, what kind of ‘tag’ should we play.” She looked him over. “I see you haven’t shaved by the way.”

“I haven’t really thought about it.” Said Felix, reaching his hand up to rub at his stubble. “Other things have been on my mind.”

Xue tapped her cheek as she stared at him.

“Well, perhaps that’s serendipity,” muttered Xue. She pulled out an extremely small knife. “I will reduce my speed down to that which a cultivator of similar level would have. Prepare.”

“Wha-“ said Felix.

Then Xue glided it toward him as if skating. She twirled the knife in her fingers, stopping in a scalpel hold.

Not the face!

Felix’s eyes opened wide as the small blade seemed to transform into the claw of a terrible beast in his mind’s eyes. He awkwardly backpedaled but grasped for knowledge of [Shifting Sand]. Almost instinctively, his near stumble transformed into a smooth motion as he shifted to the left.

Wind caressed his right cheek as the knife continued past his face. Before he could process this, she recovered her stance and the knife came toward his face once again. This continued as he dodged and she followed. After a minute of this, he found a rhythm of her strikes, dodging each one. Felix came to a stop as no more knife strikes were forthcoming. Xue simply stood there watching him. Then she smiled.

“That gift of yours really is a cheat. You definitely haven’t bridged the gap between knowing the moves and when to use them. Still, it is impressive.” Said Xue. She took out another knife, twirling both expertly. “Now let’s see how you do when I don’t just use honest strikes.”

She pursued with the left knife leading and he tried to dodge again. Yet even as he moved the blade changed directions. Panicked, his body seemed to turn hazy as he reversed direction. Yet he suddenly found the second knife was there with the point inches away from his face. Throwing as much qi into the [shifting sands] technique, he retreated in a burst of speed. Xue didn’t pursue, her icy eyes watching his retreat.

That was a close shave…

He stifled a laugh, letting it rest as a confident grin.

“Hah, I can see what you mean by no longer being honest.” said Felix. “but I was able to escape.”

Her expression remained indifferent except for one raised eyebrow. Then Xue pointed at her left cheek. Felix gingerly reached up his hand to find a patch of pure smoothness.

“How?” Said Felix.

“Just because I am limited in speed doesn’t mean my battle awareness is lower,” said Xue. “It was trivial to know where you were going next, your movements were predictable. All I had to do was keep you pressured and then use a technique that made it hard to know where the knife really was. Never underestimate the resourcefulness of an experienced cultivator. If you had more experience, you wouldn’t have been fooled by such a simple external technique trick.”

“So [Shifting Sands] isn’t that good?”

“Oh, it is great. Without your… circumstance, I doubt you would have been able to dodge the first strike much less the second. An honest strike would be all I need. Against a normal cultivator who is at your cultivation level, you wouldn’t have been so hard pressed. Honestly, you have no chance since I have also read your improved version. Now, enough talking. Let us test the limits of [Shifting Sands]. In fact, use everything at your disposal.”

Felix rubbed his cheek one last time and then pulled out his sword.

Felix went to the lecture pavilion as soon as they finished testing his new capabilities. Xue didn’t wait around and disappeared back up the path. He couldn’t resist feeling his face that was completely smooth.

I promise to always shave in the morning from now on. Why do people think evading sharp objects is good training?

He glanced over the large crowd until he spotted the recruits.

Good, it looks like they learn their lesson the other day. Oh neat, Martel and Cixi are here as well.

Felix muttered apologize as he squeezed through the denser packs of disciples. A few gave him disgruntled looks but most nodded, quickly returning to their discussions. He finally made it to the front and sat between the five of them. Before he could greet them, a woman walked onto the stage. Almost hawkish in appearance, the tall women slowly took them all in.

“For those who don’t know me, I am Elder Ja and this is the first etiquette lecture.” Said the Elder. “I am glad that so many of you were wise enough to repeat this class. Being able to understand the social graces is key in surveying in a world of intrinsic inequality of power. The minimum hope for you all is that you learn not to offend a random expert. The ideal is that you take it a step further and use this lesson to actually help yourself. Even the stronger of us have to play this game or at least it would behoove us too. Only an individual whose power eclipsed all others can ignore such things without consequence. Does that make sense?”

That is practical I suppose… Thought Felix. He almost raised his hand but he saw her expression harden for a moment.

What the hell was that for…? And now she is giving Martel the same look. Wait, isn’t this the Elder that Martel said caught us doing something.

“Of course,” said Elder Ja. “This is the most basic reason to pay attention in this class. However, beyond its benefit for the individual, etiquette is an important feature to allow cultivator society to function.”

“Now, this class will be divided into three groupings: ancient etiquette, modern etiquette, and the theory of etiquette. In the next class, we will start on modern etiquette. Normally I use this class to discuss the reason for this grouping. However, considering our guests, the rest of this class will be focused on how to interact with senior cultivators from foreign powers.”

The crowd leaned forward at these words and Elder Ja waded into the meat of the lecture. Felix frowned as he saw disciples who had earlier barely paid attention now focused.

I suppose this is what they came for. If they are taking it this serious, then I should too.

Felix listened and Elder Ja lectured. She covered the more commonly accepted ways to talk to those of higher cultivation and the effect of being in a position of respect. The class continued for another two hours before she wrapped it up. Some like the recruits did have trouble paying attention near the end but the older disciples maintained focus. Finally, she finished. With one more look at the crowd, she flew off into the sky.

“So, Martel.” Said Felix, looking to his left. “I didn’t expect to see you here. Worried about offending one of the guests.”

“No brother. This young master is the epitome of diplomacy. Sister Cixi was uncomfortable so I decided to attend.” Said martel.

“Did you notice how Elder Ja looked at us? She didn’t seem happy to see.” Said Felix.

“I bet she wasn't,” muttered Martel, looking away. “I think it is better you don’t dwell on it.”

“Sure…” said Felix. “So Cixi, what did you think of the lesson? Is it what you expected?”

“It… it was interesting?” Said Cixi.

“Come now Cixi,” Said Martel as he seemed to refocus on the discussion. “I believe both Felix and I want to hear your honest opinion. No need to be coy.”

“Well,” said Cixi, “It isn’t like the information in the lecture is that new to me. My… my family did put an emphasis on learning etiquette as well as other things. I suppose it is just the way your elder talks about it that I find strange. My teachers would just say this is how you are supposed to act. Elder Ja on the other hand was just so… so cynical about everything.

“Really?” said Felix. “I just assumed this was the common perspective. How were your lessons different?”

“It was more skin deep,” said Cixi. “For example, my teachers said you paid respect to more powerful cultivators because they deserved it.”

“Well Cixi,” Said Martel. “Then you are in for a treat when you take Shameless class. Oh sorry, I mean Practicalities of being a Cultivator. Now I need to go. I certainly have zero interest in another morality lecture by Elder Rong.”

They watched him go down one of the paths and many other disciples followed. Soon, more than half the attendees left leaving a sparse group behind.

“So…” Said Cixi. “Why exactly does this sect have something called Shameless class?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. I haven’t had one yet. I assume this is another thing that is drastically different from back home. Is that a problem? Are you disappointed you joined the sect now?

“No, I’m not disappointed,” said Cixi, frowning down at clasped hands. “It is a little unsettling but not disappointing. My father said this sect was the carp waiting in the lake of the Central Region. I just assumed that the elders would be more like those in the stories.”

What does that even mean? I would ask but something about the topic isn’t sitting right with her.

“Hey,” said Felix slowly. “Shouldn’t Elder Rong be here by now?”

Now that I think of it, I haven’t seen him in a bit even though I technically live with him. However, I have been busy.

“Well, he is a sect elder.” Said Cixi, looking up from her hands. “It isn’t uncommon for lower level cultivators to be subject to the whims of higher ones. I was taught at least that respect does not go both ways. Oh, I think I see him coming now.”

Felix followed her pointing finger to see a figure flying down from the mountain peak. His expression turned into confusion as the figure resolved into Elder Shen. With barely a sound, the man landed on the stage. The monk looked over the crowd with a wide grin.

“Hello, dear disciples,” said Elder Shen. “Unfortunately, Elder Rong is indisposed at the moment. Therefore, I will be responsible for your morality classes. Doesn’t that sound wonderful?”

They stared back.

…I don’t think any of us believe you should be teaching this class.

“Don’t worry though.” Said Elder Shen, ignoring the silence. “I shall help guide you onto the correct path. Now, let us begin as so many of my compatriots like to and start. With a question. Why do we teach morality? A new disciple should try to answer first. How about you, young Chu? Speak up now.”

Chu looked around for help for a moment but then spoke up.

“So that we can be righteous cultivators?” Said Chu.

“Oh Dao, I hope not. Or I hope you don’t think the end goal is just to be righteous.” Said Elder Shen. “How about you in the back?”

“To make sure we are worthy of being a disciple of the Thousand Seasons Sect” said a voice in response. Felix glanced back to see the older disciple considering their response. “To ensure we know when to use the power that comes with cultivating.”

Elder Shen stopped at that, rubbing his bare chin, and took a pose eerily similar to Elder Rong.

“Ah, it would seem you have had this lesson before. That is what Elder Rong would say. Not his complete answer but a reasonable enough approximation. However, I would personally say that is wrong as well. In part at least. We started this class because Elder Rong wanted to make good people as well as cultivators, but the true purpose of this class is to make sure you grow as a person while you grow in power.”

The girl raised her hand and Elder Shen nodded toward her.

“Elder, I am not sure I understand the difference or more accurately the distinction you are referring to.”

“Well, Elder Rong wants to give you the background to teach you to wield your power responsibly. This is wise. My goal though is to give you the tools to stay true to yourself as you gain that power. The life of cultivation is written with tribulations, both wonderful and terrible. They can break you, where even if you live, you become something you’d never wish to become.” Elder Shen reached up and tapped his closed dark eye. “Or, if you can master it, you become greater for it.”